Puffy, swollen eyes may have a variety of causes including lack of sleep, allergic reactions, irritation from wind or contact lenses, eyestrain or dehydration, according to Eye Doctor Guide.com. Swollen eyes can make you look old and tired. Your eyeballs or lids may be swollen, red or itchy, with bags underneath and dark circles. Regardless of the kinds of symptoms, treatments are available to help your eyes return to normal and feel better.
Step 1
Use saline eye drops to reduce redness and itching, dryness and swelling of the eyeballs. These are available in pharmacies and have no steroids or antibiotics in them, so they are good for use by people who prefer to use only natural products not containing pharmaceutical drugs.
Step 2
Use cold or warm compresses on your eyes, depending on which feel better. You can soak a washcloth in water, squeeze it out and place it on your eyes. Or place it in the freezer for 15 minutes to chill even further. If you prefer using warm compresses, check the temperature before placing it on your face. Add a few drops of lemon juice to the water for soothing relief from puffiness.
Step 3
Place slices of white potatoes or cucumbers on the eyes for 10 to 15 minutes to relieve puffiness and aching in the eyes, recommends Eye Doctor Guide.com. Chemicals found in the vegetables help reduce swelling and lighten skin around the eyes.
Step 4
Make a pot of tea with two black teabags. After they are done steeping, squeeze them out and cool. Place on your eyes for fifteen minutes. The tanic acid in the tea acts to reduce swelling and soothe tired eyes.
Step 5
Drink at least eight glasses of water daily to reduce the chances of becoming dehydrated. Drinking clear water helps keep eyes and the body free from needing to conserve fluids to protect against dehydration, thus reducing watery pouches under the eyes.
Step 6
Use allergy medicines to reduce swelling from airborne or contact allergens to reduce swelling, redness and itching in the eyes.
Step 7
Use fragrance-free makeup, soap and makeup remover, advises Eyecarebasics.com to avoid allergic reactions to fragrance.
Step 8
Apply arnica cream to the lower fleshy area under the eyes. Available in health food stores, arnica is a homeopathic remedy made from the extract of marigolds, and works to reduce swelling, bruising, tenderness, and black and blue areas in case you have a black eye.
Step 9
Wear sunglasses, suggests Eye Doctor Guide.com, to protect eyes from the elements and UV ray exposure.
Step 10
Get a good night's sleep and remove contact lenses before going to bed to reduce the chance of developing swelling, dryness and itching in the eyes, advises Eyecarebasics.com.
Tips and Warnings
- Try tapping underneath the eyes lightly to help any fluid filled sacs release their contents internally.
- The information offered here is for educational purposes and is not meant to replace medical advice or treatment.
Things You'll Need
- Saline eye drops
- Compresses
- White potatoes
- Cucumbers
- Black tea
- Fresh water
- Allergy medicines
- Arnica cream
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